Terrorist Attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015


On Friday, November 13, 2015, Terrorists allegedly connected to ISIS in Syria carried out a series of coordinated attacks in Paris that killed about 150 innocent people of all nationalities, races, and religions. This is France's 9/11 and our full sympathy and support goes out to them. Just as a French newspaper headline read " We are All Americans" in response to the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.. We now feel that "We are All French". We will work together with even more purpose to make the world a safer place by standing up to terrorism at home and abroad.

For the first time ever, suicide bombers detonated explosive belts in France. 2 sucide bombers targeted the Stade de France where the French and German national soccer teams were playing a "friendly" game attended. among others, by the president of France, François Hollande. They detonated themselves outside the stadium. 15 minutes later, gunmen exited a car in the 11th arrondissement in an area of restaurants and cafés and started shooting patrons- families in cold blood. Shortly afterwards gunmen entered the Bataclan music hall in the same area where an american rock band from California was performing. They threw grenades, and machine gunned the audience- and then took the remainder hostage. When police entered in a raid, they detonated their suicide belts. In all, at least 100 young people were killed in the theatre. President Hollande visited the 11th arrondissement immediately following the raid. A National State of Emergency was declared, and police and military units were mobilized. Investigations led to the arrest of 2 persons who were connected to the raids in Belgium, and other suspects are being pursued. ISIS claimed responsibility- and now these attacks are understood to be connected to recent attacks in Lebanon and to the Russian Airliner that was brought down over Egypt.

At this time, world leaders are meeting in Vienna, Austria to decide on a course of action for bringing an end to the Civil War in Syria, and to the human tragedy that has only continued to grow. This meeting was planned prior to the attacks... and will continue with even more urgency.

This topic follows on the previous topic about travel to danger areas. If no where is safe, what does that mean? What can be done to make the world more peaceful, more safe and secure?

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